Are you a young, aspiring farmer interested in learning about producing greens, root crops, fruiting crops, and micro greens in beautiful North West British Columbia?
Farmer Cam’s Foods may be the apprenticeship for you.
About the Farm
In the fertile soils of the Skeena River Valley, Farmer Cam’s Foods (FCF) grows vegetables and distributes them in Terrace, BC. Owned and managed by Cameron Bell on rented land, the business uses regenerative practices to grow almost 30 different crops including greens, root crops, fruiting crops, and microgreens. Our production methods include outdoor fields, unheated high tunnels, a greenhouse, and an insulated building with grow lights for seedlings and microgreens.
Our mission is to run a profitable farm business and maintain the health and happiness of staff, partners, and customers. With a goal of 3 seasonal employees and 1 acre in production in 2024, the farm distributes produce through a weekly CSA box, farmers market, farm stand, and wholesale clients including Safeway.
About the Apprenticeship
The apprenticeship season runs from May to November.
We start seedlings in March, sell at the market from May through October, and shut down the operation by November to focus on recreation, off-farm work, and farm business planning in the winter.
During harvest season, our weeks revolve around the Tuesday night CSA pickup/farmstand, Thursday wholesale deliveries, and Saturday market, with harvest and production tasks spread throughout the week and one employee covering basic chores on Sundays. FCF uses land at Hidden Acres Farm and Treehouse Resort through a License Agreement, and collaborates with owners Jon and Jaclyn Gagnon on a variety of projects on the property. Field production is intensive and primarily human scale, to maximize profitability and minimize impacts on soils and local ecology.
Apprentices are expected to use their labor for the daily work of the farm as a major part of their learning experience. Apprentices work in all aspects of farm production from soil preparation to harvest, seeding to cultivation, tractors to hand hoes, and farm planning to marketing.
You will meet with other apprentices across the province who are part of the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship program. Field days, learning opportunities and potlucks will be planned with this group at each host’s farm.
You will meet with other apprentices across the province who are part of the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship program. Field days, learning opportunities and potlucks will be planned with this group at each host’s farm.
About the Farm Mentor
Cameron Bell is the Owner, Farm Manager, and will be your main mentor. He grew up in Ontario, and moved to Northern BC to pursue a degree in Environmental Studies at UNBC. Upon completing the degree, Cam worked in local government and economic development in Valemount and Haida Gwaii, before moving back to Ontario for 2 summers to pursue his long-term goal of farming.
While Cam has worked and volunteered at several farms and gardens over the years, his last season in Ontario on a 250-member CSA farm gave him the most of the experience to take into his own business. He has been running Farmer Cam’s Foods for 5 years, and thoroughly enjoys farming and living in Terrace.
His partner, Carol-Ann Bourdon, also works at the farm and would provide some mentorship as well. Other staff that may be returning from previous seasons have not yet been confirmed, but could help with orientation and training.
Skills this farm has to teach
The following skills are being offered by this farm. While you’ll get exposure to many of these areas, apprentices will work to identify the skills they want to develop through a learning plan with the host farm.
| Multi-variety vegetable production | basic operation of hand tools |
|---|---|
| irrigation set-up/use | Team work & Organizational skills |
| assessing soil health | Profitable farm business practices |
| Indoor growing of microgreens | Picking and packaging for retail sales |
| Getting harvest to market | compost making/processing |
| greenhouse management | Cover cropping |
| no till vegetable production | Farmers Market sales |
Skills Required of the Apprentice
Farmer Cam would love to have an apprentice that is interested and engaged in all aspects of agriculture, from biology to business. Many of my employees in the past have been interested in small parts of the operation, but they hope to mentor someone that wants to learn about every part of running a farm.
The ability to do physical labour on a day-to-day basis is essential, so being physically fit and able to lift weight in the range of 30 to 80 pounds is essential.
Being able to comfortably make decisions, execute tasks, and train others in a diverse and dynamic working environment. After training and onboarding, the ability to work quickly, efficiently and calmly in physically challenging contexts for long hours in variable weather is essential to enjoying work on the farm.
Housing, Stipend and Duration
Farm staff are entitled to unlimited “seconds” (B-grade) produce, and a reasonable amount of top quality produce throughout the season.
We do not have on site accommodation, but will assist with finding housing for an apprentice.
Apprentices will be paid an hourly wage of $17.00/hour, (35-45 hrs/week).
Two days off/week. Some additional unpaid learning time could be arranged.
1-2 days off per week, and approximately one additional unpaid day off per month as requested (ex. long weekend). Preferably not in May or June
The ideal length of apprenticeship is early April until late November.
About the Community
We live, play, and farm on Ts’ymsyen territory. We are grateful for the opportunity to be here, and work with communities such as Kitselas.
Our farm is located in Thornhill, a 10 minute drive or short bike ride from Terrace. The area is home to roughly 15,000 people, and has a good variety of stores, several restaurants, and a brewery.
The region has many recreation opportunities (part of why Cam loves living there) including biking, skiing, kayaking, hiking, climbing, etc. There are many events throughout the year, and some agriculture and gardening related gatherings at other farms and gardens.
Be sure to check out Farmer Cam’s Foods on their website & Instagram: @farmercamfoods
More Details about this Apprenticeship and How to Apply
Deadline to apply: January 31, 2024
Interested in an Apprenticeship but this isn’t quite the right one? Check out other Young Agrarians Apprenticeships being offered in 2024 here.